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Story
December 10, 1937
The Times News
Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
John T. Layne confesses to Asheville sheriff that he killed J.D. Spann in a robbery attempt near Edgefield, S.C., after hitchhiking and transporting liquor together in September. Layne initially lied about accomplices.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
SAY J. T. LAYNE CONFESSES HE KILLED SPANN Full Confession at Asheville Alleged as Result of Robbery Attempt
ASHEVILLE, Dec. 10.—Buncombe County Sheriff Laurence E. Brown last night announced that John T. Layne, who last week led officers to the skeleton of J. D. Spann near Edgefield, S. C., had confessed that he killed Spann when the latter resisted his robbery efforts.
Layne, who first told officers he was with three other men, and that a man named "Tom" did the actual killing, confessed that he alone was responsible for Spann's death. Brown said.
The sheriff quoted Layne as saying that he hitch-hiked a ride with Spann from Asheville to Augusta, Ga., last September 22. He was quoted as saying that he rode to Augusta with Spann, and during the trip agreed to come back to Asheville and drive a truck for the thin man. The two men left Augusta with a load of liquor. Layne was quoted as relating, and near Edgefield a struggle ensued when Layne attempted to rob Spann. Brown quoted Layne as saying that he struck Spann over the head with a pistol, dragged him into a thicket, and fired two shots into his body.
Layne was arrested near Hazelwood last September and was driving Spann's car. The arresting officer found a quantity of liquor and a pistol in the car.
Layne was sentenced to serve three months on the roads and was later brought here for questioning in the disappearance of Spann.
ASHEVILLE, Dec. 10.—Buncombe County Sheriff Laurence E. Brown last night announced that John T. Layne, who last week led officers to the skeleton of J. D. Spann near Edgefield, S. C., had confessed that he killed Spann when the latter resisted his robbery efforts.
Layne, who first told officers he was with three other men, and that a man named "Tom" did the actual killing, confessed that he alone was responsible for Spann's death. Brown said.
The sheriff quoted Layne as saying that he hitch-hiked a ride with Spann from Asheville to Augusta, Ga., last September 22. He was quoted as saying that he rode to Augusta with Spann, and during the trip agreed to come back to Asheville and drive a truck for the thin man. The two men left Augusta with a load of liquor. Layne was quoted as relating, and near Edgefield a struggle ensued when Layne attempted to rob Spann. Brown quoted Layne as saying that he struck Spann over the head with a pistol, dragged him into a thicket, and fired two shots into his body.
Layne was arrested near Hazelwood last September and was driving Spann's car. The arresting officer found a quantity of liquor and a pistol in the car.
Layne was sentenced to serve three months on the roads and was later brought here for questioning in the disappearance of Spann.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Murder Confession
Robbery Attempt
Hitchhiking Killing
Liquor Transport
What entities or persons were involved?
John T. Layne
J. D. Spann
Laurence E. Brown
Where did it happen?
Asheville, Near Edgefield S. C., Augusta Ga.
Story Details
Key Persons
John T. Layne
J. D. Spann
Laurence E. Brown
Location
Asheville, Near Edgefield S. C., Augusta Ga.
Event Date
Last September 22
Story Details
John T. Layne confessed to killing J. D. Spann during a robbery attempt after hitchhiking a ride from Asheville to Augusta, returning with a load of liquor, striking Spann with a pistol, and shooting him near Edgefield.